Scirocco Central

I was happy to do mainly commuting and city miles in my 2.0 petrol when I picked up my 'Roc in September, but I've had a big change of circumstances. Will be doing many 1,000's of motorway miles next summer because of a job change.

Conservatively, I expect I'll be doing 450 miles a week down the motorway, compared to 50 or so city miles I thought I'd be doing. Comparing the fuel economy of the two cars, I estimate I would save nearly £750 by switching to diesel.

Do you guys think its worth it? And what would be the best way of going about it? Sell it privately and order a new one? Or trade it in to the dealer?

What you save in fuel costs you will more than lose in the depreciation of your old car and the difference (cost to change) to a new diesel. I used to do 500 miles plus per week and the roc was returning about 35-36 on the motorway at a steady cruise. If you are not ragging it then just run it on basic 95 ron to reduce costs further.

A higher octane fuel should return an improved MPG, though, shouldn't it?

You'll have to do some experiments on that front.

as i bought it with a fair discount, and the higher base price and VAT increase, I was hoping to get alot or even most of my money back...?

A diesel car not only does more MPG but it also holds it's value much better than petrol too. It all comes down to how long you're thinking of keeping the car and how much you get in part exchange for the one you have now. For longer than 12 months I'd say it was certainly worth it. I bet over 3 years you'll be saving at least £3k thanks to improved MPG, TAX disc difference and depreciation.

Personally before you decide if you want to change or not I would take a very long test drive in the diesel. They are not for everyone... Personally I drive around 750/800 miles a week and I still choose to do so in a petrol engined car. If I am going to spend over 3 hours a day commuting for work I want to make sure that what ever I am driving I am happy with. Dont get me wrong I am not anti diesel (my wifes ML is a 320Cdi and I used to won an a3 Tdi) but given the choice I choose petrol.

J.

marriedblonde wrote:Personally before you decide if you want to change or not I would take a very long test drive in the diesel. They are not for everyone... Personally I drive around 750/800 miles a week and I still choose to do so in a petrol engined car. If I am going to spend over 3 hours a day commuting for work I want to make sure that what ever I am driving I am happy with. Dont get me wrong I am not anti diesel (my wifes ML is a 320Cdi and I used to won an a3 Tdi) but given the choice I choose petrol.

J.

that is a fair point, I do enjoy the drive and power of the petrol. However don't you ever think of the money that could have been saved driving a diesel?

But don't you think diesel drivers ever think about the power they're missing?

slicedbread wrote: that is a fair point, I do enjoy the drive and power of the petrol. However don't you ever think of the money that could have been saved driving a diesel?

If I was to look at my life style and think of all the money I could save I either would live a very dull and boring life and save every last penny or resent everything I buy.

I go to work so that I can enjoy a certain lifestyle (As I am sure most of us do!). So no I don't really dwell on it. I would save maybe a couple of grand switching to a diesel but I may end up resenting the commute to work and that would cost me dearly.

J.

marriedblonde wrote:

slicedbread wrote: that is a fair point, I do enjoy the drive and power of the petrol. However don't you ever think of the money that could have been saved driving a diesel?

If I was to look at my life style and think of all the money I could save I either would live a very dull and boring life and save every last penny or resent everything I buy.

I go to work so that I can enjoy a certain lifestyle (As I am sure most of us do!). So no I don't really dwell on it. I would save maybe a couple of grand switching to a diesel but I may end up resenting the commute to work and that would cost me dearly.

J.

totally agree with you on this, mine is racking up 500/600 miles a week and its the petrol engine that makes, if i went diesel i'd be going rear wheel drive with a bmw badge, i sold my tdi A3 becasue it was too slow

wigit wrote:i sold my tdi A3 becasue it was too slow

what a surprise! lol

Just like to speak up for the compression ignition side of the argument. I bought a diesel because I run two fabulous oldish sportscars (Elise S1 and air cooled 911) and I wanted daily driver / winter car that was a real counterpoint in terms of driving character (and also OK in the handling department) and also I like the 'technical' nature of diesels. I quite enjoy working through the box to get the most out of the engine and (without in any way wanting to sound like I am showing off) I get passed by very little. That is not a function of any kind of childish competitiveness on the road (I will always back off if anybody starts trying to race), it's just that I have always driven briskly from A to B without aggression and the TDI 170 shifts rather well if you get ride the boost with the box.

I'm still getting mid-40s after a lot of 'swift' motorway miles, so the car is doing what it was supposed to do.

Having said all that, if this was my only car, then I probably would have gone for petrol... the 2.0 TSI unit is a good, sporty unit, but I still think the TDI has something to be said for it!

I'm also not unsympathetic to wigit's view on other German diesel car options, BMW still makes the best diesels, but the new VAG CR units run a very close second, much better than the old narrow torque band PD units.